I recall that JVG also consulted SVG before the trade of MJ. So I am sure it would be a good trade at least for short-term just as MJ's was, but I have to wait and see till AFTER the playoff, which seems to be the source of criticisim of MJ (hope the history doesn't repeat itself).
alston's not cheap, actually cost a couple of mil more than mj. His ? is actually a pretty big ? in that he's been labeled a cancer and got some attitude prob.
that is what i heard from jvg on a radio show while back.. he doesnt like to consult other coaches when it comes to acquiring players since he rather form his own impression or opinion himself.
Chemistry? old guy plus Yao clique young guy clique TMac must become the sticky, chocolatey center of this ragtag crew
This trade should really help T-Mac more than most as far as playmaking is concerned. This should help preserve him and take some of the playmaking preasure off him, unlike last year. Getting Alston makes the the rockets more of complete basketball team ala the Spurs. I really like this move and never thought in my wildest dreams that we could trade Reece Gaines and 2 second round draft picks for a starting point guard in Rafer Alston.
You should not be calling out another's posting. You sure can make a good case here and there--and if you read through not just IMO. IF Mike James sucked how and the heck did we get a younger 14 & 7 PG for him strait up in a trade. Call it a great trade. Welcome Alston (as you did in your last post). Just stop being a prick towards a player who played hard and well for us. If we traded anyone else who contributed in these ways but who became unnecc or a better deal/fit became available during the season (Howard, Wesley) we should wish well on that player and still give him his due. That is all, enjoy your holiday.
Well, we really needed a high BB IQ pass first aggressive point guard, who was younger but matured, athletic, injury free, and could hit the trey, when Yao or McGrady are double teamed. We got that. I had been negative about the possiblity of trading for Alston, regardless of how he would fit, because I feared for chemistry. But, I find its interesting that JVG has assembled a number of players who were considered malcontents on their former bad teams: McGrady, Swift, Anderson, now Alston. But, maybe JVG is actually looking for guys who aren't satisfied with anything less than winning, and views their rep in a totally different way than the press. They weren't good for their teams, but they may be perfect for a contender. And, no doubt, JVG had to have talked to his brother Stan, and to Alston directly, to know what was the source of the conflict. The good thing, is that JVG has gotten rid of any players who didn't buy into the TEAM way of playing, and so there is already a standard of 2 of the best players in the game buying in. I'm sure Alston was strongly clued in before a trade was made. We REALLY needed this trade. This makes this summer an AMAZING off-season. If JVG knows that his attitude isn't a problem, this was almost as important as the Swift signing for the MLE. I'm thrilled. I'm sure there will be problems getting the chemistry to gel, and that he's not a perfect solution, but this is such an upgrade! I can relax now about this season. This was my biggest worry. It's going to be a fun ride.
Argh. 8 pages. Too many posts to prop, though I do single out Dr. of Dunk's last post. I also agree with Deckard (with all due respect to Jeff) many of us should have seen something like this coming though JVG's "no knuckleheads" comment did get some of our attention, but we had bigger fish to fry yesterday. I don't think we shopped James, I think he was our most tradeable asset given Wesley's surgery and the fact that I'm certain JVG loved the guy when he was running on a bum knee and when we could only speculate about it. The Sura situation: I don't know, but it damn sure isn't unusual to have a trade on the table for a couple of weeks that a GM thinks is close and to then consult with an injured team-first guy who plays the same position. Yeah I can see Bobby being down, a little pissed off (very scary) and needing support from the guys and the organization. I don't think that thought is conspiratoral at all. I do think this trade is not about MJ: it's about T-Mac and Yao. JVG and CD can talk all they want about T-Mac being the best playmaker in the league, but is it advantageous for us to rely on him in that aspect? Or to bring the ball up-court? Or to have to sweat if a team pressed us because our guards' handles are barely adequate? T-Mac is a scoring machine that is finding his game. He publically wanted Stoudamire, but Alston may be a better fit for both he and Stro. Now to the big one: Anyone that doesn't dog Yao laughs at us because T-Mac's been the only guy in 3 years to consistently get Yao the ball where he wants it. And even T-Mac and Yao struggled with it until late last season. On a day when I'm predisposed to sneer at any "legit" media I have to agree that Yao has held good post position for one and a half seasons now. I think James was a better post-entry passer than Sura is, but we've just been pathetic at it. I'm surprised Big Chief Triangle didn't send Yao tape showing him how much of his effort has been wasted. TNT has broadcast such sequences (in 1 game!), ABC and ESPN has too. We all have Yao's back here, but our standards in Houston are so high that we expect Yao to throw an elbow into a teammates face and say "give me the ball". Guys, CD and JVG have made the move that should shut everyone up and essentially give Yao no excuses. Sweet. What we lose with Jame's 3pt. shot is irrelevant. His defense, man where was that during the Mav's series? His driving ability? Well, that was a team weakness JVG identified yesterday and with an injured Sura we just traded the only other guy that could do it consistently (except during clinical brain-death). I love this trade. Alston, meet Jon Barry. DA are you done? Stro should you have been a 2nd round pick? Yao, we love you man and know you're not Japanese but we need a Godzilla. T-Mac, you may be the best player in the NBA, big frikkin' deal huh? I'm ready to rock.
DUUUUUUUUDE Rafer is gonna make our team freaking awesome. You can never have too many guys that were on the AND1 streetball mixtape tour. Im pretty sure YAO would have been on it but China probly wouldnt let him!
when a guy (MJ) won't even look at your star player when he's calling for the ball, that aint chemistry. in fact now that i think about it. whe MJ had the ball he was playing by himself at least %80 of those occasions. oh yeah, and all for the trade.
A few encouraging facts: 1) Skip was 11th in the league in assists/game last year, averaging more than Tony Parker while player slightly fewer minutes and generating fewer turnovers. 2) Mike James was 46th in the league (obivously playing fewer minutes) 3) The Rockets are now the only team in the NBA with two of the top 20 assist leaders last year. (Tmac was 18th). For a team with no starting point guard (in november), it's hard not to like this trade.
Alston isn't that young. He's 28-29. He's barely younger than James. Our front line and Head are the only guys that can really be considered "young".
How about one more reply to your post? LOL! A bunch of runners surrounding a slow, plodding, almost unstoppable offensive center. Hey, it worked in the 80's.
Now I see why Marc and Rich never talk about the Rockets...the average Houston sports fan is ignorant when it comes to the Rockets, and Marc and Rich have to listen to them. 2 callers...the first one says JVG should be gone if this season isn't a success, because of this trade. Says JVG is trading away his own deals. The next one asks if Alston is just a manuever to make another trade to get another PF or backup SF. What the hell? Does anyone follow the Rockets in this town besides us? As far as the starting lineup, I'd be VERY surprised if Anderson is starting. I think it is still Wesley's job to lose. The PG situation will be a tough call once Sura gets back. I think Alston has the edge though.
Good assessment. Wonder ... if you do develop chemistry between the type of players we have know ... those w/o the best of reps ... strong personalities ... is it possible that it's much stronger?
Rarely can you have a traditional lineup where all 5 guys run and gun. Remember Kareem with Showtime?? He would rebound, outlet pass and Magic, Worthy, Byron Scott and Rambis/AC Green run the fast break.
Interesting comment in the article says he shut down Kidd, Marbury and Francis in the critical three game stretch they played.
